Optical decoder systems and corresponding methods

Abstract

The present invention is generally directed toward optical encoder systems and corresponding methods. One aspect of the invention is directed toward an optical encoder system that includes an optical encoder device having an input wheel. The optical encoder device further includes at least one light emitter and at least one light sensor to detect rotational movement of the input wheel. In a further aspect, the optical encoder device is coupled to a vehicle. In a still further aspect, the optical encoder device can be coupled to a control inceptor in a vehicle. In yet a further aspect, optical encoder device can include a housing so that the optical encoder device is couplable to structure as a single modular unit.

1. A vehicle optical encoder system, comprising:
 a vehicle; and 
 an optical encoder device coupled to the vehicle, the optical encoder device including:
 an input wheel, the input wheel positioned to be actuated by an operator; 
 at least one light emitter; 
 at least one light sensor, the at least one light emitter and the at least one light sensor being located proximate to the input wheel to detect rotational movement of the input wheel; 
 a housing configured to resist at least one of interference between an electromagnetic source and the optical encoder device and interference between a high intensity radiated field and the optical encoder device; and 
 a flexible seal coupled to a portion of the housing, the flexible seal configured to resist at least one of interference between an electromagnetic source and the optical encoder device and interference between a high intensity radiated field and the optical encoder device. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  wherein the vehicle includes a control inceptor and the optical encoder device is coupled to the control inceptor. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a computer to receive an output from the optical encoder device, the computer being supported by the vehicle. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing supports the input wheel, the at least one light emitter, and the at least one light sensor so that the optical encoder device is coupled to the vehicle as a single modular unit. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  wherein the seal includes a conductive material. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1  wherein the seal is configured to resist foreign material from entering the optical encoder device. 
     
     
       7. An optical encoder system with an optical encoder device comprising:
 an input wheel; 
 at least one light emitter; 
 at least one light sensor, the at least one light emitter and the at least one light sensor being located proximate to the input wheel to detect rotational movement of the input wheel; 
 a housing configured to resist at least one of interference between an electromagnetic source and the optical encoder device, interference between a high intensity radiated field and the optical encoder device, and foreign material from entering the optical encoder device, the housing having an interior and an exterior, the input wheel positioned so that a portion of the input wheel extends from the interior of the housing to the exterior of the housing; and 
 a flexible seal coupled to a portion of the housing, the flexible seal configured to resist at least one of interference between an electromagnetic source and the optical encoder device, and interference between a high intensity radiated field and the optical encoder device, the flexible seal being positioned to at least approximately form a seal between the housing and the input wheel where the input wheel extends from the interior of the housing to the exterior of the housing. 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the housing supports the input wheel, the at least one light emitter, and the at least one light sensor so that the optical encoder device is couplable to a structure as a single modular unit. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the housing supports the input wheel, the at least one light emitter, and the at least one light sensor so that the optical encoder device is couplable to a portion of a vehicle as a single modular unit. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the housing supports the input wheel, the at least one light emitter, and the at least one light sensor so that the optical encoder device is couplable to a structure as a single modular unit with at least part of the portion of the input wheel exterior of the housing positioned to be actuated by an operator. 
     
     
       11. An optical encoder system with an optical encoder device, comprising:
 an input wheel; 
 at least one light emitter; 
 at least one light sensor, the at least one light emitter and the at least one light sensor being located proximate to the input wheel to detect rotational movement of the input wheel; 
 a housing configured to resist at least one of interference between an electromagnetic source and the optical encoder device and interference between a high intensity radiated field and the optical encoder device; and 
 a flexible seal coupled to a portion of the housing, the flexible seal configured to resist at least one of interference between an electromagnetic source and the optical encoder device and interference between a high intensity radiated field and the optical encoder device. 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the housing supports the input wheel, the at least one light emitter, and the at least one light sensor so that the optical encoder device is couplable to a structure as a single modular unit. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the housing supports the input wheel, the at least one light emitter, and the at least one light sensor so that the optical encoder device is couplable to a portion of a vehicle as a single modular unit. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the optical encoder device includes at least one circuit board and wherein at least one of the at least one light emitter and the at least one light sensor is located on the circuit board. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 11  wherein the input wheel includes at least one of:
 a spoke proximate to the at least one light emitter and the at least one light sensor; 
 a reflective section proximate to the at least one light emitter and the at least one light sensor; and 
 an optically coded section proximate to the at least one light emitter and the at least one light sensor. 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 11  wherein the optical encoder device includes a switch located proximate to the input wheel, the input wheel being operatively coupled to the switch so that a selected radial force on the input wheel activates the switch. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 11  wherein the optical encoder device includes a switch located proximate to the input wheel, the input wheel being operatively coupled to the switch so that a selected radial movement of the input wheel activates the switch. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 11  wherein the optical encoder device includes:
 a switch located proximate to the input wheel, the input wheel being operatively coupled to the switch so that at least a portion of a selected radial force on the input wheel is transferred to the switch; and 
 a spring operatively coupled between the input wheel and the switch to provide resistance to the selected radial pressure. 
 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 11  wherein the optical encoder device includes a ratchet mechanism operatively coupled to the input wheel to provide the input wheel with at least one detented rotational position. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 11  wherein the optical encoder device includes a ratchet mechanism operatively coupled to the input wheel to provide the input wheel with at least one detented rotational positions, the ratchet mechanism including:
 a detent wheel coupled to the input wheel; 
 at least one detent arm to engage the detents in the detent wheel; and 
 at least on detent spring operatively coupled to the detent arm to urge the detent arm to engage the detents in the detent wheel.